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A new group set up to examine how women and girls can reach their full potential says it hopes it can be a "catalyst" for change.

The council has been created to advise the Scottish government on how it can tackle gender inequality.

It will be chaired by Louise Macdonald, chief executive of Young Scot.

First Minister Nicola Sturgeon said securing equality was a "moral obligation", as well as making economic sense.

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New legislation that aims to ensure an equal gender balance on many public sector boards has been passed by the Scottish Parliament.

Women make up just over 50% of the Scottish population, but currently make up only 45% of public board membership.

The new law sets an objective for at least 50% of non-executive members on all boards to be women by 2022.

The legislation was passed by 88 votes to 28, with the Scottish Conservatives voting against.

First Minister Nicola Sturgeon has announced a £500,000 fund to encourage more women to become involved in politics.

The initiative is intended as a tribute to the suffragettes who campaigned for women to be allowed to vote.

Backed by the Scottish government, the fund will provide grants for local initiatives across the country.

A debate was also held at the Scottish Parliament celebrating 100 years of female suffrage.

Equalities Secretary Angela Constance says a great deal of progress has been made on gender equality in recent years.

She points to legislation passed on domestic abuse and representation on boards.

The Scottish government is also working to reduce barriers for women to return to work, eliminate the gender pay gap, and end violence against women and girls.

Tory MSP Jackson Carlaw asks the Scottish government what its position is on the need to promote gender equality.

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Universal credit has proved controversial almost from the beginning, with reports of IT issues, massive overspends and administrative problems.

It is being rolled out across the country.

But what is it?

Universal credit is a new benefit for working-age people, replacing six benefits and merging them into one payment:

• income support
• income-based jobseeker's allowance
• income-related employment and support allowance
• housing benefit
• child tax credit
• working tax credit

Read here about delays in the system, problems with costs, weak managment and

Ms Freeman says the Scottish government has long made its concerns about the roll-out of Universal Credit and has called for its halt.

The way that benefits are paid in the UK is currently undergoing a complete overhaul.

Since the 1980s, anyone needing help has been able to claim from six means tested benefits, but they are being rolled into a single benefit called Universal Credit.

BBC reporter Ben Moore has been travelling around the UK meeting those who are on the front line of the change, and hearing from those who have experienced problems with the system.

By 2022, more than seven million households are scheduled to receive universal credit.

SNP MSP Bruce Crawford asks the Scottish government what discussions it has had with the UK government regarding the impact of universal credit in areas where it has been introduced.

Social Security Minister Jeane Freeman says engagement on the draft strategy, launched in January, includes a series of events to gather views of citizens.

The strategy also has a section on social isolation in rural areas specifically, she adds.

Image source, bbc

In December we reported that the UK government was being urged to create a national strategy to combat loneliness by the commission set up by the murdered MP Jo Cox.

The commission, external, formed by the MP before she was killed in her constituency in 2016, called for the appointment of a minister to lead action on the issue.

It said loneliness is as harmful to health as smoking 15 cigarettes a day and affects nine million UK people.

The Scottish government published its strategy document on dealing with social isolation, external.

Image source, Scottish government

SNP MSP Emma Harper asks the Scottish government what action it is taking to tackle loneliness and social isolation in the South Scotland region.

Social Security Minister Jeane Freeman says people have the choice to have their UC paid twice monthly and rent paid straight to the landlord since January.

Ms Freeman says she estimates 700,000 will be able to benefit from UC Scottish choices by the current roll out end date.

Last October MSPs voted to formally call on the UK government to halt the rollout of Universal Credit.

The new welfare system, which combines the likes of housing benefit and tax credits into a single payment, was described as "fundamentally flawed".

UK ministers have made some tweaks to the system in a bid to assuage concerns about how long claimants have to wait.

Image source, PA

But MSPs voted by 75 to 23 to call on the government to "immediately halt" the rollout due to "clear failings".

Universal Credit is being implemented gradually across the UK, but the process is to be accelerated from October with 50 jobcentres a month to be added.

• Look back on the Universal Credit debate on Holyrood Live

SNP MSP Stuart McMillan asks what support the government provides to people in Inverclyde in receipt of universal credit to assist them to have greater control over their household budget.

Social Security Minister Jeane Freeman confirms the fund has help over 23,000 people in south Renfrewshire.

Mr Arthur asks about the impact of welfare reform from the UK government.

Ms Freeman says it is expected to have reduced welfare spending by £3.9bn by 2021.

The number of crisis grant applications have increased by 50% since the rollout of Universal Credit, she says.

The minister calls for a pause on its implementation.

Emergency payments worth £2.2m have been paid to people in Scotland struggling to pay for basics like food and heating, according to a new report.

Scottish government statistics, external reveal that more than 42,000 applications for crisis grants were made between 1 April and 30 June - up 11% on last year.

Ministers said the "chaotic roll-out" of universal credit was to blame.

Image source, Getty images

The Department for Work and Pensions said the "vast majority" of grants were given out for other reasons.

The latest Scottish government report found that 14% of applications for crisis grants were due to delays in benefits payments.

Around 68% of applications were successful and a total of 28,825 emergency payments were made in April, May and June - on average £75 each.

• What is universal credit?
• 'Universal Credit isn't a fair system'
• MSPs call for halt to Universal Credit

SNP MSP Tom Arthur ask the Scottish government how many households in the Renfrewshire South constituency have been assisted by the Scottish Welfare Fund since 2013.

Image source, Thinkstock/SciencePhotoLibrary/PA/Dougie Johnston

We now move to portfolio questions, with communities, social security and equalities ministers in the hot seat.